High School Students Shine in First-Ever District-Wide Business Pitch Competition

Last month, the Puyallup School District (PSD) hosted its first-ever district-wide business pitch competition at Emerald Ridge High School, bringing together DECA student teams from Emerald Ridge, Puyallup, and Rogers High Schools for a showcase of creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial spirit.

The event marked a milestone for the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, recognizing the inaugural year of the incubator curriculum, which was introduced into Marketing II Entrepreneurship classes across the district. The hands-on course connects students with business professionals across the Puget Sound, who mentor them through the startup process and help build real-world business skills.

The competition on May 21 featured champions from each school presenting their creative business ideas to a panel that included PSD CTE Director Shani Watkins and local industry judges from Premiere Floors and Design Center, Generous Influencers, and Gesa Credit Union.

Each student team pitched a product or service aimed at solving everyday problems:

• Emerald Ridge High, which won the competition, showcased Anu Case, a customizable phone case brand featuring original artwork inspired by school groups and clubs, allowing students to proudly display their identities.
• Rogers High presented Heavenly Bites, a bakery concept offering allergen-free and food-sensitive treats that everyone can enjoy.
• Puyallup High introduced Invisiband, a sleek, smart alternative to belts and shoelaces using elastic, Velcro, and buttons to provide a secure and discreet fit.

 

 

 

Throughout the event, judges expressed their admiration for the students’ poise, professionalism, and innovative thinking, noting how impressive it was to see high school students navigate business topics such as cost structure and marketing with such maturity and insight. Additionally, they offered the students valuable feedback, encouraging them to deepen their understanding of how to grow a business and connect with customers.

With the success of this year’s program, organizers hope to expand the initiative by attracting additional volunteer mentors and judges for next year. The competition not only crowned a district champion but also sparked excitement for what's to come.